Russian missiles strike vital infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv

Missiles likely ballistic and undetectable; power cuts announced in several regions

KYIV Ukraine was hit by two waves of Russian air strikes on Saturday, with air raid sirens sounding across much of the country and emergency power cuts announced across multiple regions.

Missile strikes in the morning hit crucial infrastructure targets in Ukraine's capital Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkhiv, while damage from the afternoon's assaults was still being confirmed.

The authorities in Mykolaiv in the south, the western city of Lviv and the Black Sea port of Odesa said air defences were trying to shoot down incoming missiles.

Explosions were heard in the central Vinnytsa region. Artillery shelling was also reported in and around Nikopol, south-west of Zaporizhzhia.

In the morning, journalists in Kyiv heard a series of blasts before the air raid siren even sounded, which was highly unusual.

Ukraine's Air Defence said Kremlin forces launched the missiles, likely ballistic and undetectable by air defence, from the north.

Ukraine is not able to identify and shoot down ballistic missiles, Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said.

No one was reported hurt in the attacks on Kyiv in the morning, officials said, but missile debris caused a fire in one place and houses were damaged outside the capital.

"Explosions in the (eastern) Dniprovskiy district. All agencies heading to the site. Stay in your shelters!" Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.